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The South African
6 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Some Positive vibes for new Orlando Pirates coach
New Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has finally found an influential figure who believes in him, and it's a Betway Premiership legend. According to the former Orlando Pirates coach Benson Mhlongo, the 46-year-old Moroccan coach has shown potential to succeed in Soweto. Additionally, Mhlongo believes that Dr Irvin Khoza is well-versed in finding new coaches for the club. Kaizer Chiefs latest: Two new strikers? Orlando Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza holds a press conference in Sandton, Johannesburg. Images: IOL 'Dr. Irvin Khoza has always managed to come up with surprises over the years. I trust his judgement; they've been in this game for a long time,' Mhlongo told KickOff . Update: Kaizer Chiefs new kits 'It's not for us to speculate. When they brought Jose Riveiro here, nobody knew about him, and look how well he did. Dr. Khoza has vast experience in bringing coaches here, so perhaps there's something the chairman saw in the new coach. 'It was relatively easy for the chairman to make a decision on the new coach since he was already in the country. Maybe they appreciated what he did for Marumo Gallants last season. 'Dr. Irvin Khoza has always managed to come up with surprises over the years. I trust his judgement; they've been in this game for a long time,' Mhlongo told KickOff. 'It's not for us to speculate. When they brought Jose Riveiro here, nobody knew about him, and look how well he did. 'Dr. Khoza has vast experience in bringing coaches here, so perhaps there's something the chairman saw in the new coach,' the former Orlando Pirates skipper added. 'It was relatively easy for the chairman to make a decision on the new coach since he was already in the country. Maybe they appreciated what he did for Marumo Gallants last season. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
22-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
'He shots or takes defender on': Chiefs legend praise Pirates star
Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo has hailed Orlando Pirates winger Mohau Nkota following his impressive breakout season. The 20-year-old forward scored seven goals and added five assists in 39 matches across all competitions last season. His form has earned him a Bafana Bafana call-up earlier this month where he featured against Mozambique. Khumalo had praised Nkota's decision making especially when he is attacking with the ball. The Chiefs legend felt the Pirates winger was positive whenever he had to ball and would either shot or take on a defender. 'Listen. This boy, and every ball that he gets, it's whether he takes a shot or he takes a defender on,' Khumalo said, as per KickOff . 'He (Nkota) has never taken the ball backwards; he has never played anything backwards,' he added. 'He is always positive. His game is not negative. In every touch that he had, he was creating a final pass, taking on a player, or taking a shot.' The former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana midfielder has also been impressed with another Orlando Pirates youngster. Khumalo has been a big fan of Relebohile Mofokeng since he made his debut for the Buccaneers two years ago. Nkota and Mofokeng have been a joy to watch for Pirates on the wings under Jose Riveiro. With Nkota already established, it remains to be seen how he will improve as a player next season. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
20-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
'Slay queens, pressure, no guidance' – Why this former PSL star thinks Rele must go abroad this transfer window
Time for Rele to spread his wings? Relebohile Mofokeng has been urged to move abroad in order to continue growing as a footballer. Photo: Alche Greeff/BackpagePix Mhlongo believes that Mofokeng has outgrown the South African game and needs to move in order to receive the necessary guidance to take him to the next level. The 20-year-old Mofokeng has had an amazing two seasons for Pirates and has become one of the best players in the country. After another good showing in the Betway Premiership, speculation about his future has reached fever pitch. Former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Benson Mhlongo believes Relebohile Mofokeng needs to move abroad in order to continue his growth as a footballer. "There are a lot of things we don't have at our disposal as teams. If he goes overseas, he's going to grow. Not to say he won't grow at Pirates, but at home there are too many negative elements that the boy will face and has to manoeuvre around,' Mhlongo said, as per KickOff. "We have a problem of bad company, we have a problem of 'slay queens,' and we have a problem of guidance. "We don't take seriously the mental aspect of the game that these boys go through, the pressure they go through. If Pirates can have a psychologist, he can stay around. "But if they don't have it, let's save the boy from the social illness we're facing as a country and give the young boy a chance to grow and come back and represent the country for us to have a chance in the World Cup. "Sometimes it's all about the bigger picture h – develop as much as we can for the national team. He has done his part; let him go and open up space for other youngsters," Mhlongo added. IOL Sport
The South African
20-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs - Rumours: Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana stars signed
Kaizer Chiefs have reportedly already completed these deals from Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana. Kaizer Chiefs squad revamp is well underway and with it comes highs (new signings) and lows (exits). The excitement of new signings is rife following the commencement of the 2024/25 PSL season. So, Chiefs have reportedly already made a couple of signings from Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana. Chiefs have reportedly secured the signings of Paseka Mako and Thabiso Monyane. Reports claim that Mako agreed to join Amakhosi after they won the Nedbank Cup final 'Pirates were keen to extend his stay at the club but believed (he had) already agreed terms with Kaizer Chiefs after the Nedbank Cup final in Durban,' the insider stated on KickOff. So, despite the Bucs trying to keep him at Mayfair, he still left. 'Pirates did everything to keep Mako, but the player had already made up his mind,' 'There were even bigger plans to keep Mako beyond his playing days at Pirates, but the player had already made up his mind to go to Kaizer Chiefs,' he continued. Meanwhile, further reports from SABCSport claim that Monyane has already agreed to join Chiefs. 'Former Orlando Pirates wing-back Thabiso Monyane is set to join Kaizer Chiefs after the expiry of his contract. Monyane, 25, is embarking on a new journey of his career, leaving the club where he was raised from the development structures, towards a new challenge at their Soweto rivals. SABC Sport broke the news last week that Amakhosi had been offered the chance to sign the player, and this website has it on good authority, a deal has been reached between the two parties,' the publication reported. Mark Mayambela, brother of Chiefs-linked, Mihlali Mayambela has dropped a cypric hint to drive Amakhosi fans crazy. Following the Bafana Bafana stars links to Chiefs, his brother posted an image on X of Mayambela in Chiefs colours with an emoji. Thus, sparking speculation over his move to Chiefs. Mayambela is one of several big-name players linked with Amakhosi. These are all of Chiefs' main/priority transfer targets in every position. Let us know by clicking on the comment tab. Or by emailing info@ or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
The South African
19-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs set to lose their captain for free?
Kaizer Chiefs may lose their captain Yusuf Maart if he is not offered a new contract. Reports indicate that the club has a two-year option on Maart's current deal, but there has been no indication from the team whether they plan to renew it. According to KickOff , Kaizer Chiefs had until the end of May to exercise the option to extend their captain's contract but ultimately chose not to do so. 'End of May is standard procedure to exercise the option. If a club does not exercise the option, the player is free to sign with someone else,' an experienced agent told the publication. 'Because it's Chiefs, the player might wait to see if they will still approach him (for renewal). He'll probably hold off other offers. 'No one wants to leave Chiefs, you know. If the player doesn't want to leave the team, he'll hold out until they tell him something,' added the agent. KickOff reported that Maart is still in the books of Amakhosi and might sign a new deal if offered. 'If Maart has not signed with anyone else, Chiefs can still come if they want to keep him with an offer. But if he signed elsewhere and Chiefs come after end of May, it would be too late. It can happen.' Kaizer Chiefs won their first trophy in 10 years by beating Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup and it was their captain who scored the winning goal. Fans have had mixed reaction to Maart'scareer at Amakhosi but his goal in the final has made him a fan favourite. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
